Former Continental President of African Women in Maritime (WIMAfrica), Jean Chiazor Anishere, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the National Transport Policy (NTP) Bill into law for the efficient shipping industry and sustainable maritime development.

Recall that the immediate past Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, had last year, assured the Federal Government would deliver on the National Transport Policy by the first quarter of 2023.

He said the leadership of the ministry had identified the grey areas preventing the enactment of the policy, which also have been generating controversies between the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.

Anishere, who was a Maritime Legal Consultant to the House of Representatives Committee on Marine Transport on some International Conventions, said implementation of the NTP may pave the way for Nigeria to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) category C, if not to a higher category.

She said the NTP is a necessary tool for growth and an efficient legal framework for sustainable development of the country’s maritime space as well as guide decisions in the maritime transport sector to ensure the sector is governed in an efficient, safe and environmentally sound manner.

Anishere said while the world is tilting towards cleaner fuels for greener shipping, having a functional National Transport Policy as well as other good policies and infrastructures for a sustainable and effective logistic supply chain is vital.

“It is very important for the President to sign and pass the bill on our draft NTP into law, by giving his accent to it as recommended by the National Assembly. It is also worthy of note that maritime transport is an essential component of any programme for sustainable development because the world relies on a safe, secure and efficient shipping industry,” she said.

Anishere, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), noted that the NTP may ensure the implementation of the blue economy, which is rated as one of Nigeria’s most promising sectors. She said numerous issues ranging from maritime security to policies, paucity of funds/investments among others, have hampered the blue economy.

“The blue economy is indeed Nigeria’s most promising sector and there are challenges facing its implementation and sustainability. Issues and problems bring with them challenges and opportunities and the blue economy offers a suite of opportunities for sustainable, clean and equitable blue growth in both traditional and emerging sectors. 80 per cent of global trade by volume and over 70 per cent by value, is carried by sea and handled by ports worldwide.

“For developing countries such as Nigeria, these percentages are typically higher and as a coastal country, Nigeria needs to position itself in terms of facilities and capacities to cater for this growing trade and optimise their benefits,” she said.

She added that while Nigeria is not too close to achieving the blue economy, it needs to tap into the various opportunities and benefits accruable thereto to fully harness its gains.